Periodontal Maintenance in Durham, NC

Periodontal disease can be effectively controlled with the assistance of a dental professional. If you have developed periodontal disease, you may need to visit Smile Design – Family & Cosmetic Dentistry regularly for periodontal maintenance in Durham, North Carolina. We encourage you to call (919) 220-5505 and schedule a visit with Dr. Erfan Imeni, our skilled dentist, if you are concerned about your gum health.

If your gums are tender, red, swollen or bleed easily, you may suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, which is also known as gum disease, is a degenerative condition caused by bacteria in plaque, which accumulates on the teeth. When not treated, periodontal disease can result in the loss of teeth, gum tissue and bone. While gum disease is not curable, we can treat the condition and keep it under control to protect your oral health. Our dentist can provide periodontal maintenance to help treat periodontal disease and prevent the serious effects of the condition.

Periodontal maintenance involves visiting our office on a regular basis, typically once every three months, for a professional cleaning. These treatments include thorough cleanings both above and below the gum line, removing plaque, tartar (hardened plaque, also called dental calculus), and bacteria to prevent the condition from worsening. Periodontal maintenance is recommended every three months because when biofilm is not removed, the periodontal bacteria begin to flourish within three to 12 weeks. By providing a cleaning at 12 weeks (three months), we are able to remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control. To learn more about periodontal maintenance and how we can treat gum disease, we welcome you to call or visit our office today.

Most patients are seen every three to four months rather than the usual six. That interval is not arbitrary: the bacteria that drive periodontal disease can repopulate the pockets around your teeth within roughly three months of a cleaning, so a shorter cycle interrupts the process before it restarts. Dr. Imeni sets your schedule from how quickly you build up plaque and tartar, how deep your pockets are, and how your gums respond between visits, so some patients come more often and others can gradually lengthen the gap.

A routine cleaning removes deposits from above and just below the gumline on healthy gums. Periodontal maintenance is for gums that have already lost attachment or bone, so it goes further. Your hygienist cleans the root surfaces inside the pockets, measures and records pocket depths at every visit, and checks for bleeding points and recession so that any change is caught early. It is ongoing treatment for a condition being managed, rather than a preventive check for gums that are already healthy.

Periodontal disease can be controlled but not cured, so it returns when maintenance stops. Pockets deepen again, bone loss can continue, and teeth may begin to loosen. Bone that has already been lost does not grow back on its own, which is why staying on schedule matters more here than with a routine cleaning — it is what keeps the condition stable and preserves the teeth you still have. If it has been a long time since your last visit, that is not a reason to stay away. Call (919) 220-5505 and we will start from wherever you are.